The amendment to the Regulation respecting food, outlined in the O.C. 1562-2024 introduces a series of changes aimed at improving food safety, regulatory efficiency, and compliance with national standards. The Food Products Act (Chapter P-29) empowers the government to regulate various aspects of food production, including its sale, transportation, storage, and the processes applied to it, such as pasteurization and sterilization. Through these regulations, the government can also ensure sanitation, control the quality of food products, set product classifications, and define packaging and labeling requirements.

The changes made in this amendment are comprehensive, affecting multiple sections of the regulation. Key modifications include the revision of permit issuance processes, the reclassification of dairy-related permits, and the introduction of new standards for food processing and packaging. For instance, several sections relating to dairy distribution have been restructured, notably the introduction of a simplified “dairy distributor” permit. This change eliminates previously required distinctions between types of distributor permits, making the permit process more efficient by consolidating them into a single category that will be valid for a period of 12 months, starting 1 December 2024.

In terms of dairy products, the amendment addresses the regulation of milk and its derivatives, as well as eggs. For example, eggs sold by producers at their establishments no longer need to be graded or marked, provided they meet cleanliness standards, and provisions for ungraded eggs used in egg-based preparations are clarified. The regulations also tighten requirements for egg processing, mandating that eggs be free from any pathogens unless they are intended for pasteurization.

Another notable change pertains to the labeling and packaging of dairy products. The amendments to section 11.8 introduce detailed rules on the use of vitamins and fat content standardization in dairy products, including the prohibition of additional ingredients like starch, salt, or sweeteners, unless specified under the Food and Drugs Act. These changes reflect ongoing efforts to ensure transparency and consistency in food labeling, as well as to maintain the health safety of dairy products.

Additionally, the amendment revokes several outdated provisions, such as those related to certain grading and processing standards, and revises others to align with national standards set under the Food and Drugs Act and the Safe Food for Canadians Act. The regulation also includes clarifications about milk fat content and the conditions under which milk may be stored and processed, ensuring products like unripened cheeses are kept within safe temperature ranges for a specific period.

The amendment also addresses other minor revisions to sections dealing with food safety, such as standards for the transport of food products and adjustments to the responsibilities of various operators within the food production and distribution chain. The goal of these revisions is to ensure that food products sold in Quebec meet the highest safety standards while also complying with federal regulations.

Quebec (OIC 1526-2024) November 13, 2024